Life might have begun 540 million years ago due to glitch in Earth's magnetic field: Study
Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Emergence of Complex Life
Over 500 million years ago, during the Ediacaran Period, complex, multicellular organisms emerged, paving the way for the explosion of life on Earth.
Unusual Magnetic Field
Researchers have uncovered evidence indicating that Earth's magnetic field was in a highly unusual state during the Ediacaran Period when macroscopic animals diversified and thrived.
Shifts in Oxygen Levels
A new study published in the journal Nature Communications Earth & Environment explores whether fluctuations in Earth’s ancient magnetic field led to shifts in oxygen levels, crucial for the advancement of life forms during the Ediacaran Period.
Environmental Factors
The study suggests that the breakup of supercontinents and fluctuations in oxygen levels in the oceans played a significant role in the emergence of complex life forms during the Ediacaran Period.
Close Timing
The close timing between the fluctuations in Earth's magnetic field and the emergence of the Ediacaran fauna has prompted researchers to revisit environmental factors, particularly atmospheric and ocean oxygenation.
Notable Fauna
The Ediacaran fauna, resembling early animals, were notable for their large size, some reaching over a meter in length and exhibiting mobility.
Inner Workings of Earth
Approximately 2,800 kilometers beneath the Earth's surface lies its outer core, where liquid iron generates the planet's magnetic field, crucial for deflecting harmful solar wind.
Weakened Magnetic Field
During the Ediacaran Period, Earth's magnetic field weakened drastically, up to 30 times less potent than today, for at least 26 million years, likely facilitating hydrogen loss from the atmosphere and leading to increased oxygenation.
Insights into Life's Origins
Understanding the geological dynamics during the Ediacaran Period sheds light on the conditions that fostered the emergence of complex life forms on Earth, providing insights into life's origins not only on Earth but also elsewhere in the universe.
Credit: NASA